28/09/16: This was first posted two years ago in 2014 on my old blog. It was ‘Freshly Pressed’ by the Wordpress mods and received a lot of positive feedback, so I thought I’d repost it so it’s back in the world. It goes out to anyone who’s just graduated (and hates it).

Everyone loves going to the movies, but these days a trip to the local Odeon is a pretty mundane affair. (And bloody expensive, too. Seven quid for bag of Minstrels? You’re ‘aving a larf!) Fortunately, Backyard Cinema is here to save the magic of cinema from disappearing forever.

“I’m not sure about the Dalek wine trolley,” said Mike, suspiciously, as a bar cart with invisible wheels bore down on us, reminding me, rather charmingly, of the moving podiums contestants used to come out on on Catchphrase back when Roy Walker was doing it.

There’s a lot not to like about Barrafina. For instance: the layout, which sits precisely 29 diners behind a cramped L-shaped counter. Everyone else waits – for up to two hours! – directly behind them, getting in the way of pained-looking hosting staff and audibly wishing the people ahead of them would eat a bit […]